Many hurdles for Metro to Kempegowda International Airport

Bengaluru: The detailed project report of BMRCL's Phase-2, Reach-6 extension to the Kempegowda International Airport was approved by the cabinet on Monday. Once implemented, passengers can cover the distance of 29 km in 25 minutes to reach the airport!! 

The Phase 2B project, estimated at Rs 5,950 crore, will be an extension of Gottigere-Nagawara line. The cost is to be shared with the Airport, which is pitching in with Rs 1,000 crore. The state government will invest Rs 1,250 crores and the Centre will contribute Rs 500 crore. The balance of Rs 3,200 crore will be raised through loans. 

The DPR had an additional interesting element for future extensions, branching out from the approved Airport line with seven stations. The seven stations will be at R.K. Hegde Nagar, Jakkur, Kogilu Cross, Chikkajala, Trumpet Interchange, West entrance of Kempegowda International Airport and the KIA terminal station.

An extract of the DPR reads, “The alignment from Nagawara goes northward up to RK Hegde nagar, where a junction is proposed in the future branching towards Bengaluru. However, the airport line would turn left, run along Jakkur Airport road, turn right to Bellary road operating between the National Highway and service road.”

The second proposed addition is at trumpet interchange, where a junction is planned in the future, with provision to go towards Devanahalli. However, the Airport line takes a right, goes on the median of Airport Road up to the terminal building, the DPR stated. 

The alignment is elevated except at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, where it will be at grade and enclosed in a structure so as to not interfere with flights taking off and landing. 

Land Acquisition Officer of BMRCL Channappa Goudar told Deccan Chronicle that not too much land acquisition is needed as BMRCL needs only seven acres for station land apart from the depots. 

“Viaduct space has already been acquired from Jakkur to Trumpet Interchange by the National Highways Authority of India. The 5-metre width on ground has been earmarked for this. We still have to acquire land from Nagawara to Jakkur,” he said. “There will be no disruption of traffic on Ballari flyover as the elevated Metro is on the right side of the flyover. There aren't too many trees that will be affected there as well, as we will go on the median," he said. The DPR states that a loan assistance of Rs 1,000 crore has been sought from the state government for three years from 2018-2019.

“An undertaking is to be provided to bear the losses if incurred during operation. Special provision has been made for the Centre's new Metro Rail policy, where the central government will contribute 10% to state Metro rail projects only if there is private player participation,” he said.  

Don’t celebrate yet

Before the city starts celebrating, there are quite a few procedures left before the construction can begin. As per the DPR, the Finance department agrees to the proposal on the condition that “BMRCL re-evaluates with detailed costs, expenditure, possible cash losses and comes back to them with all financial schedules before seeking release of funds".

It is important to note that airport passengers may have to pay additional fees to BIAL so that the Airport can recover the Rs 1,000 crore invested. This, however, has to be approved by AERA (Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India), Civil Aviation Ministry and state government. Transport expert Sanjeev Dyamnavar, who has participated with AERA for deciding User Development Fees, threw light on other hurdles. “Saying that it will take just three months to acquire land is an election gimmick. There are several utilities to be shifted near Jakkur, like GAIL, BWSSB and Cauvery water pipelines. The four-lane road at Jakkur will also be needed by the Metro. Honestly, it will be an achievement if the Metro erects pillars on the Airport line by 2020."

Throwing light on additional charges for commuters, he said, “AERA is a very transparent body that takes in inputs from the public before deciding the User Development Fee. It takes a minimum of one year to do that. Metro cannot get the additional fees approved in a jiffy. Moreover, AERA has still not come to a conclusion on revised UDF for the Bengaluru Airport itself.”

The central government approval is still required for this big ticket project. Another local controversy that plagues Reach 6 and Phase 2B is the Cantonment Metro station alignment. If the new alignment at Bamboo Bazaar, 800 metre away from the Cantonment Railway Station is chosen, it will lead to total loss of integration, citizens say.

Citizen groups have been urging the BMRCL to stick to its original Cantonment Metro alignment, which was 150 metre away and right opposite the railway station. Since the suburban rail is already running, when the Metro comes up, they can connect and provide inter-modal integration, they argue.